If you are craving the comforting flavors of Italian comfort food but want something a little quicker and cozier, this White Lasagna Soup Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine all the creamy, cheesy goodness of a classic lasagna transformed into a luscious bowl of soup that’s perfect for any night of the week. It’s hearty, packed with tender chicken, fresh spinach, and perfectly cooked pasta swimming in a rich, velvety broth — a true hug in a bowl that will have you reaching for seconds before you know it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This White Lasagna Soup Recipe shines because of its simple but essential ingredients. Each one plays a vital role, adding layers of taste, texture, and color to create a beautiful balance of flavors you’ll love.
- Unsalted butter: Adds a luscious richness and helps sauté the aromatics perfectly.
- Medium onion: Provides a sweet and savory base when finely chopped and cooked just right.
- Garlic cloves: Brings that classic punch and warmth that every Italian dish needs.
- Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend of herbs that instantly transports you to the heart of Italy.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning to bring all flavors into harmony.
- Red chili flakes: A subtle kick that brightens up the soup without overpowering it.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: The flavorful, savory base of the soup that keeps it light yet satisfying.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Tender and juicy, they add protein and heartiness to the dish.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: A sweet and tangy burst that enhances depth and color.
- Dry short pasta or broken lasagna noodles: Brings the familiar lasagna texture in a quick-cooking form.
- Half-and-half: Creates the creamy texture that makes this soup so indulgent.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the broth gently for a luxurious mouthfeel.
- Fresh spinach: Adds freshness, color, and a healthful touch to the soup.
- Ricotta, Parmesan, and shredded mozzarella cheese: The perfect trio for garnishing and adding melty, cheesy goodness.
How to Make White Lasagna Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the aromatics
Start by melting the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. This buttery base is crucial because it gently cooks the onion until it just starts to brown, drawing out its natural sweetness for about 3 to 4 minutes. Then add the finely minced garlic along with Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes. Let those herbs and spices toast for about a minute to awaken their vibrant flavors—this step builds the aromatic heart of the soup.
Step 2: Simmer the broth with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes
Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and add the uncooked chicken breasts and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Increasing the heat to medium-high, bring the pot to a simmer, then cover and reduce to medium-low. This gentle simmer for 12 to 15 minutes lets the chicken cook perfectly and infuses the broth with the sweet tang from the sun-dried tomatoes, elevating this simple soup into something truly special.
Step 3: Cook the pasta separately
While the chicken simmers, boil a large pot of salted water and cook your pasta or broken lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Cooking the pasta separately ensures it stays perfectly al dente, preventing it from overcooking in the soup later and turning mushy. This little trick keeps your White Lasagna Soup Recipe texturally spot on.
Step 4: Shred the chicken and prepare the creamy base
Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the soup and shred it using two forks. In a small bowl, whisk together the half-and-half and cornstarch until smooth, then stir this mixture back into the soup pot. Cooking for an additional 1 to 2 minutes will thicken the broth just enough to give you that rich, velvety feel on every spoonful.
Step 5: Combine and finish
Stir in the shredded chicken, cooked pasta, and roughly chopped fresh spinach into the soup. The spinach wilts gently in the warm broth, adding that lovely green freshness that balances out the cheesy richness. Heat everything through and then taste for seasoning, adjusting salt or pepper if needed. Now your White Lasagna Soup Recipe is ready to serve, fragrant, comforting, and utterly delicious.
How to Serve White Lasagna Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing is where this dish really shines in presentation and flavor. A dollop of creamy ricotta cheese brings a soft palate, while grated Parmesan adds a salty nutty finish. Finish with a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella to add a melty, cheesy pull with every bite. Fresh basil or a pinch of cracked black pepper can add a beautiful final touch that will wow your guests.
Side Dishes
This soup stands wonderfully on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, consider some crusty garlic bread or a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette. The crisp textures of these sides contrast nicely with the creamy soup, making each spoonful even more satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a delightful twist, serve White Lasagna Soup Recipe in mini bread bowls or sturdy mugs for an inviting rustic feel. You could also layer the soup with garnishes in clear glass bowls to showcase the beautiful colors of spinach, tomatoes, and cheese. It makes a stunning presentation perfect for casual dinners or family gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because the pasta absorbs liquid over time, you might want to keep the pasta separate if planning to store for more than a day, then mix it in when reheating to keep the perfect texture.
Freezing
This soup can be frozen, but it’s best to freeze without the pasta and spinach as they can become mushy. Freeze the broth with shredded chicken in a sealed container for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight and add fresh pasta and spinach during reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring often to prevent scorching. Add a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen up the consistency, and stir in fresh spinach and cooked pasta at the end to revive that fresh, satisfying texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use another type of pasta instead of lasagna noodles?
Absolutely! Short pasta like penne, rotini, or broken pieces of lasagna noodles all work wonderfully in this soup. Just make sure to cook the pasta separately so it doesn’t get mushy.
What can I substitute for chicken if I want a vegetarian version?
For a vegetarian twist, skip the chicken and add hearty mushrooms or cannellini beans instead. Both options add texture and protein without compromising flavor.
Can this soup be made dairy-free?
Yes! Use a dairy-free creamer alternative instead of half-and-half and substitute the cheeses with plant-based versions. The soup will still be rich and creamy with those tweaks.
How spicy is this White Lasagna Soup Recipe?
The recipe includes a small amount of red chili flakes for just a subtle warmth. You can adjust or omit the chili flakes based on your spice preference.
Is this soup kid-friendly?
Very much so! The creamy texture and familiar flavors make it perfect for kids. Just reduce or leave out the chili flakes if your little ones are sensitive to spice.
Final Thoughts
This White Lasagna Soup Recipe is truly one of those dishes that feels like a warm embrace on cooler evenings. It combines the best of lasagna with the ease and comfort of soup, making it a perfect weeknight dinner any day of the week. Give it a try and prepare to fall in love with every creamy, cheesy, tender bite. You’re going to want to keep this recipe close for all those times when you crave something hearty but easy to make.
Print
White Lasagna Soup Recipe
This creamy and comforting White Lasagna Soup offers all the flavors of traditional lasagna in a warm, hearty soup form. Featuring tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and short pasta in a luscious, cheesy broth, this easy recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or cozy meal any time.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups dry short pasta or broken lasagna noodles
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Thickener & Dairy
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it just starts to brown, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add aromatics and seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute to release their flavors.
- Add broth and chicken: Pour in the chicken broth. Add the whole uncooked chicken breasts and the chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the pot.
- Simmer the chicken: Increase heat to medium-high until the soup comes to a simmer. Cover the pot, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
- Cook the pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the short pasta or broken lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the soup and shred them using two forks.
- Thicken the soup: In a small bowl, whisk together half-and-half and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly stir this mixture into the soup and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the broth slightly thickens.
- Combine ingredients: Add the shredded chicken, cooked pasta, and chopped spinach to the pot. Stir well and heat through until the spinach wilts and everything is heated.
- Final seasoning and serving: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with dollops of ricotta cheese and sprinkled Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese as desired.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the soup’s saltiness.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with mushrooms or tofu and use vegetable broth instead.
- The soup is best eaten immediately but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Pasta can become soft if stored in the soup; keep pasta separate if planning to store leftovers.
- Add extra chili flakes if you prefer more heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
